{"id":2393,"date":"2022-10-02T03:50:41","date_gmt":"2022-10-02T08:50:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/counselorsroom.org\/LifeStyles\/?p=2393"},"modified":"2022-11-03T07:29:21","modified_gmt":"2022-11-03T12:29:21","slug":"teamsports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/counselorsroom.org\/LifeStyles\/teamsports\/","title":{"rendered":"Team Sports That Keep You in the Game"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Team Sports That Keep You in the Game<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Walking soccer, croquet, and cardio drumming are fun team activities for adults<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

by Catherine Gannon Taintor <\/p>\n\n\n\n

September 2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CROQUET<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Over 4.5 million people are playing croquet in the US. Why are older adults flocking to the game of croquet? Is it because we enjoy a wine and wicket party or like playing zombie croquet? Maybe we love dressing up in all white? Why should the Bridgerton family (Netflix) have all the fun?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You play the game using a mallet to maneuver a wooden ball through a series of wickets. The fun comes in when you hit another player\u2019s ball called a \u201croquet\u201d and send it skyrocketing. This entitles you to two extra strikes. (And the fun of sticking it to your opponent.) The game is also played competitively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tournament croquet<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tournament croquet is sometimes referred to as \u201cchess on grass\u201d because it involves strategy, skill, and tactics. At the same time, it is easy on the body and the knees. It is also a great replacement sport for many older adults with back problems. In some clubs, older adults are allowed to bring their walkers onto the grass court and then hit the ball with their mallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croquet is played in many retirement communities and country clubs throughout the United States. Most clubs hold at least one tournament a year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can start a club and join the USCA United States Croquet Association<\/a> to learn about tournaments and the rules book. As a member of the USCA, your club has access to traveling instructors, a network of croquet clubs, and assistance with local club events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Croquet variations<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Variations of croquet include: Extreme Croquet, played on rough terrain; Golf Croquet, in which the first ball to go through the hoop wins the hoop; and Gateball, the Japanese version of croquet played with 3 gates and a center pole. In the case of the Bridgerton family, there was mud wrestling involved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Famous fans of croquet<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do Harpo Marx, George Clooney, and Brad Pitt have in common? They are all famous fans of croquet. In 1979, Harpo Marx, Darryl Zanuck, and Sam Goldwyn were all inducted into the Croquet Foundation of America\u2019s Hall of fame.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARDIO DRUMMING<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Cardio drumming is a low-impact exercise that combines drumming with aerobic exercise. It involves hitting a pair of drumsticks in the air or on an exercise ball propped up by buckets to the beat of the music. The exercise can be performed sitting or standing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Carrie Ekins developed the program after she suffered a hip injury. Her program, \u201cDrums Alive<\/a>,\u201d combines aerobic dance with drum rhythms. It can help improve balance in older adults by improving postural control. This could help reduce falls in older adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardio drumming raises your heartbeat and helps improve balance and coordination. It can also strengthen muscle groups like your abs and core.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cardio drumming is not just healthy, it\u2019s also uplifting and fun. It all depends on how much we feel the music as we drum along and move our bodies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

WALKING SOCCER<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Many older adults who played soccer during their youth have never lost their love of soccer. They loved the competition and the friendships formed with teammates. As we age, running becomes more difficult, and head-butting risks brain injury. A new form of soccer called “Walking Soccer” is easier on the knees and minimizes the risk of brain injury in aging adults. As a result, many people with chronic health issues such as arthritic knees and hips, Parkinson\u2019s, heart issues, rheumatoid arthritis, MS, and joint replacements play Walking Soccer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In Walking Soccer:<\/p>\n\n\n\n